Horticulturist - Division of Green Infrastructure

The City and County of Denver is seeking a Horticulturist for the Division of Green Infrastructure. This role involves maintaining green infrastructure facilities to enhance community aesthetics and ensure performance. The position requires on-site work at the Denver Wastewater Building and in the field. The job offers competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities for growth within a diverse and inclusive workforce dedicated to sustainable urban landscapes.
About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose - for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The salary range for this position is $23.33 - $29.16/hour, based on experience and education. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:
• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 wellness day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

Location

In this position you can expect to work on site at the Denver Wastewater Building (2000 W. 3rd Ave.) and/or in the field.

What You'll Do

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), through its employees, enhances the quality of life in Denver by efficiently delivering effective, high quality, safe and equitable public infrastructure, and services.

For more information, please visit the DOTI website.

DOTI's Commitment to Equity:
• DOTI is committed to providing attention and resources to the areas, assets, and people of the city with the greatest need through equitable contracting, equitable investments, and equitable workforce development.
• DOTI's culture revolves around four key principles: (1) Invest in Our People, (2) Operate with Discipline, (3) Use Data to Drive Decisions, and (4) Deliver Results.

Join the City of Denver in creating a greener future! The Division of Green Infrastructure is seeking a skilled Horticulturist to contribute to our mission of creating vibrant, sustainable landscapes that enhance the beauty and quality of life for all Denverites.

DOTI and its Division of Green Infrastructure (DGI) is committed to being a leader in green infrastructure. DGI is responsible for advancing green infrastructure (GI) policies, programs and capital projects that improve watersheds, create healthier built environments, and result in a more equitable and climate resilient Denver. With this growth comes an exciting opportunity for a talented, experienced, and passionate Horticulturalist.

This position is critical to the long-term success of green infrastructure facilities and will work directly with the DGI Maintenance Program Manager and on a small team to manage day-to-day operations, maintenance, and revegetation of GI facilities. This work ensures a high level of performance and enhanced community aesthetics on a variety of green infrastructure facilities including streetside stormwater planters, raingardens, bioswales, constructed wetlands, and vegetated detention ponds built in neighborhoods across Denver.

Specifically, as the Horticulturist, you will:
• Perform timely, effective, and routine maintenance of green infrastructure facilities including vegetation maintenance, weed mitigation, sediment collection, and trash removal.
• Prepare working landscape designs, retrofits, and best management/maintenance practices for all types of green infrastructure facilities to meet performance metrics and a high level of aesthetics.
• Document and maintain records of plant success/failures, weed pressure, and water use that will guide future GI guidelines and project design.
• Develop and implement planting programs that effectively manage stormwater, support pollinator habitats, and encourage community stewardship.
• Represent DGI in the field and respond appropriately to citizen requests and/or concerns.
• Perform soil and infiltration testing and amend soils for different types and levels of green infrastructure.
• Operate heavy equipment and power/hand tools needed in landscape maintenance activities.
• Monitor weather conditions and adjust maintenance practices accordingly.

What You'll Bring

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:
• Knowledge of Colorado native or adaptative trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and understanding of green stormwater infrastructure.
• Experience maintaining and repairing irrigation systems.
• Experience with commercial equipment preferred.

Required Minimum Qualifications
• Education requirement: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.
• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience in the cultivation and care of a wide variety of ornamental/native plants -OR-horticultural/ecological restoration.
• Education/Experience Equivalency: Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirement except for one year of experience in the care of a wide variety of ornamental/native plants or horticultural/ecological restoration.
• For example, successful completion of a Master Gardener Program may substitute up to four semester hours of course work. Relevant Continuing Education Units (CEU) in horticulture or Naturalist Training Programs may substitute for three semester hours at the rate of forty-five contact classroom hours of seminars, workshops, etc. Additional appropriate experience in horticulture, botany, natural resources, range management, or horticultural/ecological restoration may be substituted for the education requirement.
• License/Certifications:
• Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
• Requires Certification in Pesticide Application by the State of Colorado by completion of probationary period.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Application Deadline

This posting will accept applications until 11:59 PM on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

About Everything Else

Job Profile
CJ1983 Park Horticulturist
To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type
Unlimited

Position Salary Range
$23.33 - $35.00

Starting Pay
$23.33 - $29.16/hour, based on experience and education

Agency
Dept of Transportation & Infrastructure

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io with three business days' notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. City and County of Denver